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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Smyth County

Virginia · 29,800 residents · 451.44 sq mi
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The short version

Smyth County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,088. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $99,500. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 46% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,800
−10%since 2000
from 33,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
66 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 73 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.0
+15%since 2000
from 40.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
29K30K31K32K33K1990201020202024Smyth County
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,088
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,083 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,016
+43%since 2000
from $16,105 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.6%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.7%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade20.1%
US avg: 10%
Information14.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,500
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$615
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $353 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.4%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
30.6% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+16%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Smyth County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(31,880)
Black1.8%(607)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(283)
Asian0.2%(61)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.1%(2,344)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.2%(27,762)
Black1.4%(408)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(558)
Asian0.3%(104)
Other1.1%(325)
Diversity Score11.6%(3,453)
Segregation Score30.6%(9,115)
Diversity Score
12
+64%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.4%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 67.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+50%since 2000
from 15.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 53.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.3%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.9%
−77.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Smyth County

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Pop 29,097
Chattooga County
Pop 25,300
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Pop 29,432
Toombs County
Pop 27,545
Places similar to Smyth County
Head to head

Compare Smyth County to nearby counties

SMYTH COUNTY VS
Tazewell County
Income$47,313+15%
Home value$118,300+19%
Population38,635+34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SMYTH COUNTY VS
Grayson County
Income$47,730+16%
Home value$150,100+51%
Population15,230−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SMYTH COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$64,552+57%
Home value$214,000+115%
Population53,898+87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SMYTH COUNTY VS
Wythe County
Income$57,745+41%
Home value$171,200+72%
Population27,983−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Smyth County, Virginia?

Smyth County, Virginia has about 29,800 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Smyth County, Virginia?

The typical household in Smyth County, Virginia earns about $41,088 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Smyth County, Virginia expensive?

In Smyth County, Virginia, the median home is worth about $99,500, and the typical rent is about $615 a month.

How educated are people in Smyth County, Virginia?

About 14.9% of adults age 25 and over in Smyth County, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Smyth County, Virginia?

About 18.7% of people in Smyth County, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Smyth County, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Smyth County, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,570 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

9 census tracts
Census Tract 307.01Census Tract 302Census Tract 307.02Census Tract 303.02Census Tract 301Census Tract 306Census Tract 305Census Tract 303.01Census Tract 304
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 24354ZIP 24319ZIP 24370ZIP 24375ZIP 24311
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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